"Never forget, almost every case has been won or lost when the jury is sworn." - Clarence Darrow 1936

"The change of a single juror in the composition of the jury could change the result." - Ter Keurst v. Miami Elevator Co., 486 So. 2d 547 (Fla. 1986), Justice Adkins, Dissenting

"Trial by jury is the best of all safeguards for the person and property of every individual." - Thomas Jefferson

Right to Work Normal Business Hours

The trial lawyer has the right to work within normal business hours – The trial court’s requiring voir dire to proceed at 7:30 in the evening was an abuse of discretion, absent any record of some reason for continuing trial so late. Ferrer v. State, 718 So2d 822 (Fla 4th DCA 1998)

Note however that the trial lawyer’s right to work within normal business hours may only apply in situations in which the trial lawyer is exhausted and is physically unable to proceed. In Green v. State, 951 So. 2d 962 (Fla 1st DCA 2007), the Court held it was permissible for the jury to continue their deliberations late into the night, over counsel’s objections, because the jury expressed its desire to do so, and the Court continually checked on the jury to make sure they were still mentally able to proceed with their deliberations. Counsel never complained about her ability to proceed with the trial while the jury was deliberating.

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